The pressure the Israeli government exerted on the Bush administration compelled it to break off ties with the PLO in June 1990 after the PLO committed a terror attack in Israel.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Holding the line on Hamas

On the other hand, Mr Gates worries about China's tendency to break off its ties with the American military whenever America does something it dislikes.

ECONOMIST: Military-to-military relationships: The ties that bind | The

It ensured the Blues entered half-time on level terms, but if they had hoped to use the break to collect themselves, it failed, with Everton picking up where they left off after the interval when Lars Jacobsen set Tim Cahill up to force another Cech save with a diving header.

BBC: Chelsea 0-0 Everton